Ajwain seeds (Hindi name) commonly called “Omum” in Tamil, “Bishop’s weed” in English are small, grayish color seeds with a very strong distinctive smell. The decoction of the seeds got by boiling the seeds in water has wonderful health benefits both for adults and children. We call it omum water| oma water in Tamil and ajwain water in Hindi.

Ajwain Water Health Benefits:

1. Ajwain Water For Cold & Cough:

Ajwain water is great for taking while suffering from cold or cough as it helps get rid of the phlegm. Ajwain water can also be had when suffering from headache.

2. Ajwain Water For Stomachache:

When I was young, whenever I came home from hostel I used to overeat often and get stomachache. To cure it, my mom always used to give me this ajwain water. Usually I will be alright very soon. Ajwain water is a very good home remedy for people suffering from indigestion, stomach pain and gastritis.

3. Ajwain Water For Babies| Toddlers:

This ajwain water| oma water can be safely given to very small babies too. It is also called as “Pottoma Kashayam” in Tamil and it so very famous here in Tamil Nadu as a medicine for treating indigestion in children. I think every home with children should have a bottle of ajwain | omam.

4. Ajwain Water For Pregnant Women:

Ajwain water is also good for treating indigestion, constipation and nausea in pregnant women. But pregnant women should not overdose on ajwain and should only use it as a remedy. Ajwain water is also given after delivery in many communities as a cleanser.

5. Ajwain Water For Weight Loss:

Ajwain seeds water is said to increase the metabolic rate which helps burn body fat. Please be careful when buying ajwain seeds, as the ajwain seeds are smaller in size, it is hard to remove small stones or dirt from it at home, so always buy good quality ajwain.

6. Ajwain Water For Irregular Periods:

Ajwain water is a good home remedy for regulating the periods. We get ajwain water in the markets too, but usually the store bought ones have added sugar (loads of it) to make it taste good. So it is always good if you prepare this oma water at home.

Ajwain doesn’t get spoilt soon so it can be stored for a long time in the pantry.

Omum Water Side Effects:

If consumed as a medicine in moderation it does not have any side effects………

How To Make Omum Water:

METHOD:

1. Take the required amount of ajwain (for adults use around 1 tbsp, for children usually 2 teaspoons will do) in a heavy bottomed roasting pan. Roast ajwain in medium low flame for about 2 minutes until a slight smell comes. Keep stirring often and don’t let it burn.

2. Pour about 1 cup of water (250 ml) and let it boil. Boil till the color of the water changes. The color of the water would have
changed to brown color.

3.Now strain the mixture and your omum water is ready.

4. This omum water is not bitter. If small children still refuse to drink it, add tiny bit of sugar and give them. This kashayam is usually given for flatulence and indigestion.

NOTE:

Please drink it immediately once it cools
down. If you dine out and if you feel slightly queasy because of the oily food, then too you can make this omum water and have.

For small children, 1 to 2 tbsp of the prepared kashayam will work well. You can give them once both morning and evening…

Since I use it as a remedy, I always have it immediately after making this oma water | ajwain water. I would suggest tasting a tiny little bit to know whether it is spoilt, usually it does not spoil fast……

I don't use store bought oma water so I don't know the correct dosage. But please don't consume 150 ml of oma water in a single dosage, I would suggest taking 1.5 tbsp to 2 tbsp of the oma water and if the stomach pain does not subside you can take the second dosage again….

Hi, today I gave about 100 ml of Ajwain water for my 9 month old baby. I made her drink the whole day. Infact I wanted to drink the water as I have sevior cough so I used about a tea spoon of Ajwain in about a litre of water boiled. So I thought of giving the same to my baby as well as I felt this is good for digestion. I read ur post only now when I was looking for something. Kindly let me know if the amount of water given was ok?

Hi, Renuka, I would suggest using omum water | ajwain water only as a remedy when she suffers from indigestion and definitely not often. I would suggest using 1/4 tsp of ajwain seeds boiled in water and given as a single dosage…

do you mean teaspoon or tablespoon? i talked to two people who said omam is very strong and one woman said she only uses a pinch or 1/4 a teaspoon for 1 cup of water. but you are suggesting 1 to 2 tablespoons for 1 cup of water which is a lot.please clarify. i took a few seeds and chewed on it and indeed it is very very strong.tastes like murukku. 🙂

I am so very sorry for the late reply. We use 1 tbsp of omum seeds for 250 ml of water, so the amount of omum seeds is correct for that amount of water. We usually take only 2 to 3 tbsp of the boiled mixture(omum water) and then take the remaining in the evening. I should have explained it clearly, sorry for confusing you. For children if it is too spicy, you can reduce the amount of omum seeds to 2 teaspoons…

If we add one cup of water to the pan and let it boil, do we have to allow it to reduce to a quarter cup? The water that you have strained looks so less. If adults consume only 2 – 3 tbsps at a time, is the rest discarded? I am asking because you said you prefer to make it fresh every time. How many times should this be consumed and for how many days for gastritis? Please advise.

Sorry, I should have been clear. For adults, 1/2 cup water boiled with 1 tbsp ajwain seeds and reduced to 1/4 cup as a single dosage once a day. For children 1.5 tsp of ajwain boiled in 1/4 cup till ti reduces to almost half as a single dosage. Usually when I have gastritis, having it once itself I will be alright. But you can have it twice a day, if it does not get alright in a single dosage….